As Promised, back to give comparison between sky HD and Virgin HD boxes
 

Hi

As I promised on my last thread..(bye bye Virgin hello sky)

Had Sky HD box installed today..I'm not just saying this but instantly it's noticable that the picture quality is better on sky than Virgin


Comments.

1)..As a percentage I'd say 100% for Sky and 90% for Virgin...Both good

2)..Sky box is loads faster changing from channel too channel..Virgin is dreadfully slow.

3)..Theres loads more HD channels and choice on Sky and HD quality better on sky...Enhancment of picture on none HD channels exactly the same on both.

4)..There's not as much on Demand choice on Sky but what I saw on Virgin didn't interest me personally..Might others. I personally found the 119 channel a load of rubbish.

5).. Record and FF...RW...Pause etc live TV..same on both.

6).. Virgin has catch up demand...go back too other days too see programs you missed...(Virgin choosing what's there) Sky does not have that..Not that I find I'd us it...I'd record everything I would need too see.


Overall...(pros and cons)

A) Pros

I'm glad I changed too Sky...

1)...I have loads more channels too choose from, both HD and normal. Plus I have sky one etc bnack again...Best channels on TV

2).. Picture quality on HD is better than Virgin

3)..Swapping from channel too channel is loads faster on Sky..

4)..One Remote for everything...Even volume and it can be coded too use on all your other boixs..Video and DVD

B)...Cons

1)...Virgin has catch up Demand Sky dosent.


Hope that helps anyone thinking of changing from Virgin too Sky...I would say...Change.

Re: As Promised, back too give comparison between sky HD and Virgin HD boxs
 

You haven't got (or had) V+ at all have you? Why no mention of TV Choice on demand? HD on demand? How do you say Sky is better for HD? You must be comparing BBC HD between the two, they are both the same feed from the BBC so how can there be a difference?

EDIT Looks like you did have it - for a week! I prefered your last review:

Re: As Promised, back too give comparison between sky HD and Virgin HD boxs
 

Or the box costs.

Re: As Promised, back too give comparison between sky HD and Virgin HD boxs
 

Its not different with HDTV's. You buy a cheap HD tv, you get poorer quality screens, you get a free V+ stb with cheaper technology, and you get the same thing.

Face it, you pay the money for better quality.

Re: As Promised, back too give comparison between sky HD and Virgin HD boxs
 

bikerjoe, I am pleased for you that you are happy with your Sky HD box.

You missed a few things off your comparison list -
1) Sky can only save 60 minutes of the channel you were on, rather than 90 minutes on V+ (live rewind/pause/etc).
2) Sky has only 2 tuners, versus the 3 on V+
3) You didn't mention if you paid the £299 for the box, and if there was an installation fee
4) Did you have to have a telco line fitted?

Re: As Promised, back too give comparison between sky HD and Virgin HD boxs
 

He's also forgot to mention that some of the HD channels show the same dam content as the non HD channel. just up scaled as the programme isn't in a HD source. and hes also paying twice for that show.

Hes not used the RED button yet as its available on all channels that what to use it, including Sky Sports Extra, Sky movies HD (Vigin realy, realy, need this but as they rejected Sky one and Sky one HD it looks unlikely Virgin will get the red button functions) he's also missed the Green button out but then he's a new user.

Yes its -£300 quid for the box but then he's not renting it, like virgin users do. he can always sell it after 12/24 months if he needs to when Sky HD V2 is released. ( yes its on the way )

Hes still a new user so doesn,t have the legal download off the net access yet that other Sky users have. But that does required Higher levels of PC use as its just like other on demand internet content thats crippled by Windows media DRM.

Re: As Promised, back too give comparison between sky HD and Virgin HD boxs
 

Its not the same feed. On Sky its MPEG4, on Virgin its MPEG2.
The CTO idiot from Telewest decided not to step into the future, prefering to stick to the age old cable way of doing it as cheaply as possible. Short term savings, meaning in a few years they will still be playing catchup.

Re: As Promised, back too give comparison between sky HD and Virgin HD boxs
 

Wow, Virgin has 3 tuners, but...

It can only record 20 hours of HD content. When more goes to HD, this seems like a big downside. Especially when the SKY HD stb can record more than 3 times that amount HD or standard.

Plus, he forgot to mention that you can also plan a recording through your mobile.

(There's also an offer for free installation at the mo)

Re: As Promised, back too give comparison between sky HD and Virgin HD boxs
 

Having seen the quality of display in my local dixons, I can honestly say that I would be thoroughly unimpressed if my TV picture was as "good" as that.

Re: As Promised, back too give comparison between sky HD and Virgin HD boxs
 

I don't have HD, but I've seen an excellent quality demo of Sky's HD.

Saying that, it was on an extremely good Samsung panel. There are a lot of 'HD Ready' TVs that are not capable of displaying high quality images at all.

Re: As Promised, back too give comparison between sky HD and Virgin HD boxs
 

LOL!!!:p:

Re: As Promised, back too give comparison between sky HD and Virgin HD boxs
 

I had sky this am and now i have v+ and well happy.

The box didnt come with Manual and the chap didnt know how to set it to HD out, but 30 seconds with the remote sorted that.

I rang sky wanting to upgrade from standard digital and they couldnt do anything about paying £99 for sky + and £60 installation + multiroom cost , or £299 for the HD box.

Rang virgin pay £55 for 4mb BB, phone , XL tv , v+. No installation or box fee!!

Ive got it set up via my TV which is DVI -HD and the picture is not as good as standard sky on normal channels, BUT HD on demand from BBC with walking with beasts - amazing.

RAng to cancel sky and got a 10 min sales pitch trying to tell me to use by 14 day cooling off with virgin and if i cancelled i could have sky + for £49 free install.!! why couldnt they do that up front !, plus i here for that you get a recon 40gb sky +.

4 hours into v+ and well happy, only thing i think needs an upgrade is the speed to switch channels and the EPG still looks like a BBC computer lol!

Re: As Promised, back too give comparison between sky HD and Virgin HD boxs
 

SKY+ is £49, you just had to look for it. er you can get it totaly free if you are a friend of another Sky user. its up to the freelance installers Sky use to decide which box you get. If hes out of stock of Sky+ boxes and dishes you may get a brand new one.
SKY HD is different due to the HD content and new Mpeg4 tech in side.

Re: As Promised, back too give comparison between sky HD and Virgin HD boxs
 

The delay in switching channels is no more than we used to have on the old Pace box anyway! I understand that it's primarily to allow the hard drive to switch over to the new programme as it starts to record Live TV immediately.

Re: As Promised, back too give comparison between sky HD and Virgin HD boxs
 

Extra extra
Current subscribers to Sky have allready had up to £500 discounted from the equipment so are not allowed more discount. BOOO

Re: As Promised, back too give comparison between sky HD and Virgin HD boxs
 

Ummm..don't mean to sound rude or anything, but where did you get this information from regarding the "All powerful RED button"?

The actual facts of the Red button situation as far as VM goes, is that Sky "Refused", yes you read it right, they "Refused" to allow VM to have this facility.

So to bring up the mystical red button into this debate is totally and utterly irrelevant

Re: As Promised, back too give comparison between sky HD and Virgin HD boxs
 

Ok sorry i got it wrong then.

Re: As Promised, back too give comparison between sky HD and Virgin HD boxs
 

They didn't cut off the Red button from Cable. They have never allowed cable to have the Red button facility on Sky Sports or the Movies.

What facility did the Red button work on in Exeter for you?

Oh, the OP also failed to mention that when you do use the Mystical Red Button on Sky, you get charged for it i.e if you want to use fan cam or change cam position on a game of footy, then your Sky box uses your phone line to dial in and allow you to use this function

Re: As Promised, back too give comparison between sky HD and Virgin HD boxs
 

I haven't had Sky for years, but the thing i used to remember about it was that the weather caused problems sometimes. That might not be the case anymore what with HD i don't know, but it might be worth adding.

Re: As Promised, back too give comparison between sky HD and Virgin HD boxs
 

LoL of course it will affect HD, HD requires more bandwidth and if it affected regular digital programming, it will quite likely hit HD even harder

Re: As Promised, back too give comparison between sky HD and Virgin HD boxs
 

You don't pay for changing camera's etc!!!!!

You only pay to play things like interactive games etc.

Pressing red to bring up extra screens on Sky Sports or Sky News does not require a phone line even.

---------- Post added at 18:48 ---------- Previous post was at 18:44 ----------

The HD services use DVB S2 which has as good or better signal resilience as the normal modulation method. BBC HD continues to use DVB S and no-one is complaining more about it than other channels.

Re: As Promised, back too give comparison between sky HD and Virgin HD boxs
 

Hi again

Loads of good banter my friends.

Wont change what I think..as it's up too each of us too decide what we like best..That's what I like Choice...Virgin removed some of our choice...so I chose too leave them.

All I need in a TV is the best picture possible..Thats why I changed my Sony Triniton widescreen for LCD..(not going into lCD Via Plasma)...LCD gived HD and it's worth every penny.

I dont need on demand anything...I dont live 24 hours for a TV...I'd rather be out there on my Honda Fireblade, enjoying a ride out...

Yet when I have TV on I want choice..Sky one is in My opuinion (not everyones) the best chanel for what I like...Stargate old and new..After that its the Doc and Graph channels and sky has them on HD..Virgin dosent.

I'm 57 and was 3 before my parents got a TV...1952. I can still remmber it..12 inch screen and a magnifying glass in front too make it look bigger.

Then there was colour...then 625 lines and now HD...

They will always improve...Sky will have the lead sometimes and Virgin others..Depending on what the indevidual wants.

I have more choice with sky and after being with Cable for many years..(sky before cable) I can say...Sky is right for me at present..Who's too say if that will be the same in 12 months.

I had too make a decision before the end of March, or be stuck with Virgin..(let of contract deal)

So enjoy what you have..because whatever you think is best...is !! just dont say if it different too what you have..Truth is best..

Look back later too see what's what..

Re: As Promised, back too give comparison between sky HD and Virgin HD boxs
 

Last night...back too my programs again on Sky one... Stargate and Battlestart G..Tonight Stargate Atlantis...plus viewed some of the older stargates and others..On top of that was able too record Life on Mars and view after Battlestar G finished..

I feel I have TV back in my control again..Virgin took that away. I will comment that Virgins Remote is more user friendly than Sky's but that could be down too getting used too skys system.

As far as the on demand..which ever you decide too watch...Channels showing old programs...like UK Gold Bravo etc,etc already show old programs (maybe not what was show during the last week) Yet not that different from..EG- 119 and on demand catch up etc. Because that's all those new Virgin Channels are doing...showing repeats.

Virgin how just invented a new-old channel...Nothing new there...


Sky Engineer told me, they have been told that they will have too take on extra overtime...plus he said he's going too loads of ex Virgin customers and changing them too the basic Sky box..On top of reading what other members have wrote in different threads about Virgin lay offs...Make you think Virgin shot themselves in the foot.

I'm glad I made the dicision too change too sky...Could have gone with there standard box but whats the point in havibng a HD ready TV and not using it

Suns shinning...So out on my Honda Fireblade today

Joe

Re: As Promised, back too give comparison between sky HD and Virgin HD boxs
 

That's probably because we don't tend to see Hurricanesque weather in this country every day ;) Satellite tends to cut out in stormy weather, nothing can be done about that.

Re: As Promised, back too give comparison between sky HD and Virgin HD boxs
 

It's like the loans advert. The world is all grey and dark, misery everywhere.

Then......

Along comes Sky, my life becomes colourful and happy, everything is put right, the birds start to sing again, the trees seem greener.

Amazing what a difference Sky One makes to peoples lives!

Re: As Promised, back too give comparison between sky HD and Virgin HD boxs
 

Thats right Todd

Why couldnt Virgin see that Sky One is the channel everyone wants.

Bikes out of the garage..leathers going on now and away I go on my Bike..Open raods and Sunny sky..

Real sky not airways sky..

Take Care all

Joe

Re: As Promised, back too give comparison between sky HD and Virgin HD boxs
 

And it's repeated as often...

Re: As Promised, back too give comparison between sky HD and Virgin HD boxs
 

When the VM packs came out I was sorely tempted (already having cable in for the BB), but then I remembered the quality difference, downtime and piccy freeze.
Going by Joe's posts the problems still are there in part, which is a pity, Murdoch needs valid competition.
I personally wouldn't miss sky one or all the shopping channels etc, so for me it comes back to plain old reliability and cost, as it will for most punters.

Shame, though, here's hoping it all shakes out....SOON!

Re: As Promised, back too give comparison between sky HD and Virgin HD boxs
 

Its more snow or rain which impact the rf signal, 22,000 miles up (admittedly only part of it affected by weather) and 22,000 miles back gives plenty of room for problems!
The DVB S2 sysmbol rate and FEC have been specifically chosen so that customers do not have to replace the minidishes they already have when getting HD. The rain fade margin for HD transponders is as good or better than SD.

Re: As Promised, back too give comparison between sky HD and Virgin HD boxs
 

Here we go again,

Another Sky one fan goes to Sky, o.k. ,big deal.
I used to wath Battlestar , no longer there now , so what, get a life please.
If all you want is to watch Sky one , what about the rest of the normal channels , is there nothing you want to watch??????????
I have a Panasonic plasma , with the V+.
I have seen clients sky set ups with a variety of LCD and plasma screens with the sky hd box.
To be honest I think virgins hd is better although the ampount of content available is sadly lacking at the moment, and thats the point is at the moment ,stuff will come through eventually. I'm not impatient ,I can wait........
I also cannot see a lot of difference with the standard signals between the two although the upscaling by the V+ box does make a noticible difference compared to the freeview digital signal.
I have NEVER had a problem with the old NTL now Virgin on phones , broadband, and tele, evrything works and has done for a LONG time. Maybe its down to areas , reading posts on here it certainly seems that way.
Go back to sky but why bother moaning on here , its horses for courses,
I know a lot of people who are more than happy with Virgin and NO I don't work for them I'm a plain old decorator who knows what he likes , expects good service for my money and gets it with Virgin

Re: As Promised, back too give comparison between sky HD and Virgin HD boxs
 

Thanks for letting us know how you got on Joe, me thinks a lot of people protesteth too much about Sky, good luck and be careful on that motorbike :)

Re: As Promised, back too give comparison between sky HD and Virgin HD boxs
 

Err - no it doesn't. AFAIK multicam is a free option. We've never been charged for using it or most of the other red button content.

As for red button on Ntl - it wouldn't have worked with the Liberate middleware even if Sky would have let them have it!

Re: As Promised, back too give comparison between sky HD and Virgin HD boxs
 

If i had to write all that down to convince myself why i was right to join SKY i would be asking myself a question!

:LOL:

Re: As Promised, back too give comparison between sky HD and Virgin HD boxs
 

Sky only charge for the red button use if your voting on a gameshow or playing the online games etc...they do NOT charge anything if you want to change the camera angles or fanzone, during a footy match. The box will always tell you beforehand if there is a charge as normally you have to enter a pin number.

Re: As Promised, back too give comparison between sky HD and Virgin HD boxs
 

Hi

I agree with everything that's been said. I'm not trying too convince myself..Just speaking out for what's right.

[Admin edit - Chris T] That's great, but please DO NOT spam identical copies of your posts in multiple threads.

Re: As Promised, back too give comparison between sky HD and Virgin HD boxs
 

Glad you're content - life's too short to be unhappy.

btw, what will you do if VM take some channels off Sky - will you vote with your feet and leave Sky?

Re: As Promised, back too give comparison between sky HD and Virgin HD boxs
 

Oh come on Chris, we wanted bikerjoe to tell us just one more time - or maybe even fifty more times!

Re: As Promised, back too give comparison between sky HD and Virgin HD boxs
 

It's like an endless repeat of the Simpsons...:D

Re: As Promised, back too give comparison between sky HD and Virgin HD boxs
 

.,

A week since I changed from Virgin too Sky..My opinion
 

Hi

A week has passed since I changed from Virgin too Sky. I was asked on the Virgin side of this site too give my opinion. I took the High Def virsion of both.

I nearly left this good forum, due too comments from Virgin sided management that seem too be control freaks. I manage 3 motorbike Forum sites and would never had done what they did or said in private messages... Yet I'm an adult and I have found in my 57 years that control types are not worth worrying about.

So for those that are interested in what I have found different between Virgin TV and Sky tv..here it is.

There's no difference other than the fact Sky have more channels. That's it !

High def pictures are equaly as good, Sky having more high def channels...yet in time I believe there will be catch up between all TV supliers..I even believe in time Virgin will get the lost channels back..time will tell.

So only worth changing if you enjoy the channels Virgin has lost and have high def and interested now in the extra channels.

Both have equal quality, costs are around the same, except that Sky offer TV and Broadband for only £26 if it's up and running in your area. That's a good deal..Unfortunatly not in my area yet..Plus Sky charge a lot for there high def box.(yet that's a one off thing)

I have opted too remove all Virgin items..TV-Phone and broadband...Not that there's anything wrong with there phone service or broadband..They are very good. I'm going too a BT phone too give my more options for Broadband. No other reason.

Truth is, I'd still be with Virgin if they hadn't lost the channels. I had great service fron NTL and the girl that dealt with my leaving Virgin over the phone was really good. Got the £75 back for the HD box I'd just had installed. I'm not going into politics on why they lost the channels..I and most arent privy too the meetings between both sides, so it's only guess work what gets said by those on the outside.

So my conclusion is..Both give excerlent service...it's up too each individual too choose..

Good luck too you all. I have kept a promise too other users here who asked me too comment after I changed...this is that.

Joe

Re: A week since I changed from Virgin too Sky..My opinion
 

Good comment - I too have found that comments on here can get a bit bolshy. I am changing also when I move house - just for the HD thing and missing channels really. Virgin surprised me totally with the friendly and helpful customer service when arranging cancellation and pick up of equipment. I have been with NTL for seven years now and feared calling up customer services - appalling just not do it justice. Good luck to Virgin though - I feel in time that they will get the channles back and probably in time my custom. I love the idea of having my mobile phone contract with them also and their broadband is second to none. They just need to improve the TV product.

Re: A week since I changed from Virgin too Sky..My opinion
 

Closed while I find and merge this with your previous 'comparison with Sky' thread - you really don't need to keep starting new ones for the same subject. ;)

---------- Post added at 16:32 ---------- Previous post was at 16:32 ----------

Merged and reopened. :)

Re: As Promised, back too give comparison between sky HD and Virgin HD boxs
 

I nearly changed to Sky when Virgin lost sky1 etc. But after recent events i.e. Virgin re securing afore mentioned channels I’m glad I stayed. I'm sure all the teckies on here speak a lot of sense but the reality of the whole thing is Virgin is just so easy. No crappie dish sticking on the front or back of your property, no cable draped over your roof because sky engineers aren’t allowed in your roof space (I know it's not their fault) No having to have a BT phone line with all the added costs and hassle of that. I take the view that Sky has had a massive head start and to be frank haven’t made a great job of providing a top draw service. They thought they had the market monopolised and I’m pleased that there is now a serious competitor that can help bring prices down, which after all is for the good of all of us. I am just about to sign up to Virgin+HD, which may not as quick as SKY but in my opinion the overall product that virgin supplies i.e. Virgin on demand inc. BBC iplayer, Music on Demand and pretty much everything else, is pretty much spot on. Whether you own (Sky) or Rent (V) your equipment, doesn’t make much difference. The only advantage here is that if you box breaks, Virgin replaces it, SIMPLE!

With my Virgin XL package I get 145 Channels including Sky 1, 3 etc, Setanta Sports plus a variety of on demand services including iplayer. I get 20mb proper Broadband (although it mostly comes through at 11-15mb) and a phone line. This all come through at the, not cheap, but not wallet splitting cost of £38 per month. The HD+ again isn’t cheap, although there is a 50% discount at the moment and with the XL package, I don’t pay any monthly additional cost.

My only real complaint about virgin is that the customer service has been shocking in the past, however having spoken to someone today, they seem to be improving things.

Let's hope both providers continue to improve as well as bring cost's down.

Anyway hope you all have a good Xmas and try not to watch too much TV. (it'll make your eyes go square)

Re: As Promised, back to give comparison between sky HD and Virgin HD boxes
 

What HD? For the tiny bit of HD that VM can supply why bother?

Neil says VM customers don't want HD so if you want HD then you better start thinking about Sky+HD. :p:

Re: As Promised, back too give comparison between sky HD and Virgin HD boxs
 

I agree, that's why I won't shell out my hard earned cash. Plus don't forget the demo - assuming they use a true hd source - looks fantastic because your standing 3 feet away from it where the eye can perceive the distance.

I'm not reopening that whole debate, viewers can search this forum if needed, but at a more typical 7-9 feet viewing distance the laws of physics means the eye is no longer capable of resolving the difference.